England world cup win

As Ligue 1 prepares to kick off in the glow of France's summer triumph, Nice will be one of the clubs that can boast a World Cup winner, but theirs is of an older vintage. Patrick Vieira, the new Nice manager, is preparing for his first Ligue 1 season since 1995 AFP/YANN COATSALIOU Patrick Vieira, a member of the 1998 squad that put the first star on Les Bleus' shirts, has succeeded Lucien Favre as manager. Vieira, who arrived in June from New York City FC of Major League Soccer, is the third member of the class of '98 to manage in Ligue 1 after World Cup winning coach Didier Deschamps, who was at Monaco and Marseille, and Laurent Blanc, who had spells at Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain. Once again, Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere has shown his knack for recruiting big names either on the bench, where Vieira follows Claude Puel and Favre or on the field where Hatem Ben Arfa, Wesley Sneijder and Mario Balotelli have all played for the club. Rivere sees Vieira as, above all, … [Read more...] about Vieira brings a different World Cup vintage to Ligue 1

Belgium beat England 2-0 in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday to secure their best ever finish at a World Cup and send Gareth Southgate's side home with a second straight loss. Belgium's Thomas Meunier, left, scores his side's opening goal against England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as England's Danny Rose tries to defend during the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia on Jul 14, 2018. (Photo source: AP/Petr David Josek) A fourth-minute goal from Thomas Meunier and an 82nd-minute Eden Hazard strike earned Belgium the victory and third place, which improved on their previous best performance of fourth in 1986. "It’s all about that achievement. I think these players deserve that," Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said. "What we have seen in this World Cup is that the players did not want to rely on talent anymore, they wanted to rely on working as a team, becoming a … [Read more...] about World Cup: Belgium overpower tired England to secure third place

Neymar looks sharper with each match AFP/SAEED KHAN Neymar's Brazil are aiming to win a record-extending sixth World Cup at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Jul 15. But first, the world's most expensive player and his star-studded supporting cast have to get past Belgium, who boast an array of their firepower, to reach the semi-finals. In a Kazan Arena expected to be dominated by yellow-clad Brazil fans, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne have a chance to prove they can cut it at the highest international level. They will have to be wary of attacking threats coming at them from every direction. "Individually, Brazil are the strongest team in this World Cup," said vastly experienced Belgium defender Vincent Kompany. "But it doesn't affect our chances against them. None of us are going to sleep at night thinking 'We have already lost to Brazil'. "We are going to look them in the eye. But if we make this a match of individuals, then we'll lose," he said. Brazil coach Tite said … [Read more...] about World Cup: Brazil and France target semi finals

England's young and free-flowing team banished the ghost of past national failures with a record 6-1 thrashing of feeble Panama on Sunday that included a hat-trick by Harry Kane and eased them into the last 16. England's forward Harry Kane applauds as he leaves the field during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between England and Panama at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod on June 24, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Dimitar Dilkoff) England's biggest-ever World Cup win, featuring two penalties by Kane then a fortuitous deflection off his heel, also guaranteed Belgium's berth in the next round. "Not many players score a hat-trick at a World Cup, so I'm proud of it. We had fun out there too," said Kane calling his third "one of the luckiest goals of my life." Ahead of their meeting on Thursday to decide who tops Group G, England and Belgium are level on points, goal difference and goals scored. Sunday's game at a pulsating Nizhny Novgorod stadium left the … [Read more...] about World Cup: Kane fires England to record 6 1 win against Panama

Brazil star Neymar will make his World Cup bow on Sunday (Jun 17) as the five-time champions kick off quest for redemption while holders Germany launch their bid for back-to-back titles. Brazil's Neymar is the focal point of one of the most menacing attacks at the World Cup. (Photo: AFP/Joe Klamar) Four years after injury cut short his World Cup, before Brazil suffered a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany, Neymar is once again spearheading his country's hopes. The Paris Saint-Germain striker's participation at the finals in Russia had been cast into doubt after he suffered a fractured right foot in late February. However the 26-year-old forward has shown little signs of rust since returning for Brazil, scoring in consecutive friendlies on the eve of the finals. That could spell trouble for Switzerland as they take on Brazil in Group E on Sunday. Brazil coach Tite, who masterminded a dominant qualifying campaign which saw the "Selecao" finish 10 points clear of their … [Read more...] about Germany and Brazil roll into the World Cup